When comparing Ubuntu GNOME vs Xubuntu, the Slant community recommends Xubuntu for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for Mac?” Xubuntu is ranked 12th while Ubuntu GNOME is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose Xubuntu is:
Xubuntu is very fast and makes good use of resources.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Combines the most popular desktop environment and the most popular Linux distribution
Ubuntu Gnome is an officially recognized Ubuntu derivative. Ubuntu is the most popular Linux Distribution for Desktop and Laptop Personal Computers and is also widely used on Servers. Gnome is the most popular Desktop Environment for Linux Operating Systems.
Gnome's Desktop environment is modern, sleek and designed to get out of your way, so you can just work. It is customizable and once you click around, and see some of the features you can add and change, you will find Ubuntu Gnome provides for a very fast and comfortable work or play environment.
Pro Offers a pure Gnome desktop experience
The Gnome desktop environment included in this distribution is untouched, offering a pure Gnome desktop experience. In addition, all the important Gnome apps are already installed, such as Nautilus file manager, Evince document viewer, Evolution personal information management application, Gedit text editor, Cheese webcam software, Empathy multi-protocol instant messenger, and many others.
Pro Simple and easy to use
Has been designed to be easy to use, modern looking and attractive, and easy to customize and personalize.
Pro Very easy
Pro High modifiability of interface by GNOME - shell extensions
With extensions may looks GNOME environment like Unity, Mac, Windows, Cinnamon or what would you like.
Pro Interface is 'lighter'
Not as graphics intensive as the Ubuntu desktop. Seems to run better and faster with fewer resources.
Pro Hot corner brings up favorite list bar, previews of all windows AND extra desktops
Hot corner brings up favorite list bar, previews of all windows AND extra desktops. Or just hit "windows" key and anything you want is there. Much faster than shortcuts. Gnome 3 speed, with Ubuntu software and support. Bang!
Pro Great performance
Xubuntu is very fast and makes good use of resources.
Pro Quick boot time
Boots at about double the speed of most distributions.
Pro Comes with lightweight applications
Xubuntu is designed as a lightweight operating system and Linux distro. It uses XFCE by default and comes packed with XFCE applications which are generally pretty lightweight.
Pro Conservative, yet modern
It comes with all Ubuntu goodness but without bloat, a perfect mix between new ideas and usability.
Pro Customizable
Official distro of XFCE, one of the most customizable desktop environments. In XFCE you can create as many tasks bars as you need and configure every one of their elements and behaviours. You can also change any icon, font, color... etc. Literally there's nothing you can't change in GUI.
Cons
Con Ubuntu is already using GNOME
As of 16.04
Con Relatively high system requirements
The Gnome desktop environment is a resource hog which requires hardware accelerated graphics rendering in order to run smoothly, making out of the box Ubuntu Gnome unsuitable for low end systems and older hardware. Even mildly aged hardware, you'll get far better performance out of a lighter desktop environment like LXDE or XFCE.
Con Redundant
There is absolutely no reason to install it, since it uses the same package repositories as Ubuntu and you can transform any Ubuntu install into a Ubuntu GNOME install.
Con Some areas of Gnome are unpolished and lack features
Some aspects are still unpolished and lack features - the Gnome design team works well, but seems to not be taking input from the outside world.
Con XFCE development is slow
The desktop environment used in Xubuntu has not been updated in over two years and is developed at a snail's pace.
Con UI is pretty generic without customization
The default XFCE UI is pretty generic and sometimes ugly unless customized to suit the user's needs and liking. Customization in XFCE is easier than on Unity, but still hard for beginners.
Con Redundant
There is absolutely no reason to install it, since it uses the same package repositories as Ubuntu and you can transform any Ubuntu install into a Xubuntu install.